Clamping connector for flexible ribbon cables

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a clamping connector for at least two aligned flexible ribbon cables, said connector including a base body, spring elements for pressing together the surfaces to be brought into contact, and a counter body. The base body and the counter body can be fixed to each other in a pre-locking position and a final locking position. The respective skinned partial regions of at least two flexible ribbon cables are pressed against each other in order to bring the same into contact. The sides of the base body and the counter body, facing the flexible ribbon cables, are provided with complementary recesses or projections by which means the flexible ribbon cables can be guided to form a cable grip.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clamp connector for flexible ribboncables in accordance with the preamble of patent claim 1. Such aconnector is known from DE 100 06 112 A1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

DE 198 32 011 A1 describes several variants of clamp connectors in whichflexible ribbon cables are stripped at the sites being connected and thestripped conductor tracks of the cables are pressed against one anotherby spring elements. These clamp connectors are in need of improvement interms of their handling, because either they do not afford adequateprotection against strain applied to the cable or else a strain reliefnecessitates costly preparations. At the site of assembly—for example,in a motor vehicle—what is of importance is a simple and secure handlingduring assembly. To this end, it is not expedient for a clamp connectorto consist of several separate parts that have to be assembled with theends of the flexible ribbon cables being connected.

DE 100 06 112 A1 describes a connector for flexible ribbon cables inwhich one stripped end of each of two flexible ribbon cables is pressedagainst a free, elastically spring-loaded end of a respective contactspring, so that an electrical connection is produced between the twoflexible ribbon cables via the contact spring. This arrangement has thedrawback that, in order to produce an electrical connection between theconductor tracks of two flexible ribbon cables, two respective contactsites are required, which, together, pose a higher risk of an increasein contact resistance due to oxidation, contamination, kink formation,or the like than is the case for a direct contacting of the two flexibleribbon cables.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the problem of improving a genericclamp connector in such a way that, without great preparation of thecable, a good electrical connection with low contact resistance and astrain relief that is realized rapidly can be produced and the handlingis simplified during assembly.

This problem is solved in accordance with the claims. Characterized inthe subclaims are features of preferred embodiments of the invention.

The invention is based on the idea of clamping the ends of the flexibleribbon cables being connected between at least two pieces in such a waythat the cable is pressed into a relief that forms “obstacles,” whichdeform the cable in such a way that high pull-out forces are required inorder to detach the cable from the connector. Furthermore, theprelocking position makes possible a simple assembly, because the cableends have to be inserted only up to a stop in the pre-assembledconnector in order to be fixed in place subsequently by pressing theconnector pieces together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be illustrated in greater detail below on the basisof the description of embodiment examples with reference to the drawing.Shown therein is the following:

FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the clamp connector of the invention inperspective view;

FIG. 2, the base piece of the clamp connector according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a to c, a section through the clamp connector according to FIG. 1in prelocking position and in final locking position;

FIG. 4, a clamp connector with strain relief, which is in itself known,as ground connector;

FIG. 5 a to c, a second embodiment of a clamp connector of the inventionwith ground tap;

FIG. 6, a third embodiment of a connector of the invention as Yconnector;

FIG. 7 a to d, the connector according to FIG. 6 in prelocking positionand in final locking position in perspective view and internal sectionalview;

FIG. 8, a fourth embodiment of a clamp connector of the invention with ashielding;

FIG. 9 a to c, the shielding and the clamp connector according to FIG.8, sectioned in prelocking position and in final locking position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows, in perspective view, a first embodiment of a clampconnector of the invention. The connector 1 has a base piece 4 and amating piece 6. The flexible ribbon cables 2, 3 being connected eachhave at their ends a region in which the insulation is stripped from theconductive tracks being connected. The flexible ribbon cables 2, 3 beingconnected are each inserted from different sides into the clampconnector 1 and the mating piece 6, which, during this operation, is ina prelocking position in which it forms, together with the base piece 4,an adequately large slot for inserting the flexible ribbon cables 2, 3,is then brought into its final locking position by pressing together thebase piece and the mating piece, whereby the connection is produced.

FIG. 2 shows the base piece in perspective view. The base piece 4consists of a bottom plate 10 and side walls 11 a, 11 b, to whichcatches are affixed, with which the mating piece 6 can be held in placein a prelocking position and, finally, in the final locking position.

Arranged parallel to one another in the middle of the bottom plate 10are four strip-shaped spring elements 5. They are calked or fixed, suchas with caulk for example, in chambers provided for them in the bottomplate 10 and are mutually arranged in such a way that each of theflexible ribbon cables presses against the other at the level of theconductive track. The spring elements 5 are bent in the shape of spiralsat their ends in order, in this way, to be able to exert their springforce perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the flexible ribboncables.

FIG. 3 shows the clamp connector in lengthwise section in perspectiveview. FIG. 3 a ¹ shows the clamp connector in prelocking position, inwhich the flexible ribbon cables 2, 3 can be inserted. Evident in FIG. 3a are two ribs 8, which are arranged transverse to the longitudinalextension of the flexible ribbon cables 2, 3 on the base piece 4 and onthe mating piece 6. These serve, simultaneously with the insertionoperation of the flexible ribbon cables 2, 3, as stops against which thefront sides of the flexible ribbon cables abut. In this way, it isensured that the stripped regions on the two flexible ribbon cables 2, 3come to lie on top of each other in a defined way. ¹[Translator'sNote]In the drawings, FIG. 3 a and FIG. 3 b.

FIG. 3 b shows the clamp connector in the final locking position. Here,it is evident that the ribs 8 have now each pressed a flexible ribboncable 2, 3 into a depression 7, which is constructed here as an openslot. In this way, kinks running transverse to the longitudinalextension of the flexible ribbon cables are formed in the flexibleribbon cables, owing to which a pulling of the flexible ribbon cable outof the locked connector pieces or mating pieces 4, 6 would be possibleonly by deformation of the cable material. Of the spring elements 5,only one (5 a) on the outermost edge is shown, there being visible inthe mating piece 6 a cross rib 9, on the side flanks of which lie theoverlapping ends of the flexible ribbon cables 2, 3. This results in anenlargement of the contact surface, this being best seen in FIG. 3 c,because, in this way, the spirally twisted ends of the spring elements 5can apply their spring force over a larger surface onto the flexibleribbon cables.

FIG. 4 shows a clamp connector that is used as ground connector, such asis known, for example, from DE 100 06 112 A1. A contact spring 12, whichextends over the entire width of the flexible ribbon cable 2, is formedin one piece with a junction end 12 b protruding from the base piece 4.The contact spring 12 is cast in the base piece 4. The spring is formedas a U-shaped bent piece of sheet metal, the free leg of which, 12 a,presses against the flexible ribbon cable 2 and produces an electricalcontact with the connecting end 12 b via the conductive tracks strippedof insulation. Further provided in the junction end 12 b in its centeris a screw ear 12 c. The plug connector, just like the first embodiment,has a strain relief, which is formed here by the cross rib 8 and thecorresponding depression 7 in the mating plug 6. During assembly, theflexible ribbon cable 2 is inserted into the mating piece 6 through aslot in the latter until it abuts at the opposite end against a terminalstop 26. Once the mating piece 6 has been pressed in final lockingposition onto the base piece 4, where it locks in place as in theembodiment example described above, it can no longer be released fromthis position. This is not to be understood as being limiting in thiscontext, because, where it is desired, the locking can be made to bereleasable through appropriate tools or the like.

FIGS. 5 a–cshow a second embodiment of the clamp connector of theinvention. FIG. 5 ashows a perspective view of the clamp connector inlongitudinal section. In contrast to the embodiments described above,this clamp connector has two mating pieces 6 a, 6 b, which can be lockedon the top side and bottom side of a base piece. The base piece 4 has anopening 13 in its center, through which the bare conductive tracks ofthe flexible ribbon cables 2, 3 can be brought into contact with oneanother. This occurs via the spring elements 5, which are each fixed inthe mating pieces 6 a, 6 b. The strain relief occurs in this embodimentexample via lances 14, which dip into the slots 15 provided in theflexible ribbon cables 2, 3. Provided on the two mating pieces 6 a, 6 bare terminal stops 17, against which the head ends of the cable abutduring insertion of the flexible ribbon cables into the connector in theprelocking position.

FIG. 5 b shows the connector in locked position. FIG. 5 c shows that theupper spring element is constructed as a spring contact that protrudeslaterally, this lateral protrusion 16 representing a ground tap. Forthis purpose, the insulation of the conductive tracks of the upperflexible ribbon cable 3 shown in FIG. 5 a is stripped on both sides. Inthis way, it is ensured that a contact is produced between the groundtap 16 and both of the conductive tracks of the flexible ribbon cables 3and 2.

The conductive tracks can consist of metal strips made of a copper alloyor of conductive tracks produced by vapor-deposition, sputtering, orconventional methods used in the manufacture of circuit boards. FIGS. 5b and 5 c show the clamp connectors in locked position.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of a clamp connector of the invention,in which a flexible ribbon cable 19 is connected to two other flexibleribbon cables 2, 3. This embodiment is similar in large part to that inFIG. 5, merely with, essentially, a slot 18 being provided roughly inthe meridian plane of the base piece 4, through which the flexibleribbon cable 19 is inserted until its head end has crossed the centralopening 13 in the base piece 4 and, finally, has reached its terminalstop in a receiving groove 20 on the opposite-lying edge of the opening13. The cable 19, just like the cables 2 and 3, is secured by a strainrelief 14, 15, such as has been described in connection with FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7 a–d show the clamp connector according to FIG. 6 in prelockingposition and in final position, once in perspective view and once inlongitudinal section. Evident in FIG. 7 a is the prelocking position,during which the flexible ribbon cables 2, 3, and 19 can be insertedinto the connector. In this operation, all cables run up against stops,as already mentioned in connection with FIG. 5. FIG. 7 c shows theconnector in its final position, which, here, too, as in the precedingembodiment examples, is designed to be unreleasable. FIG. 7 d shows howthe spring elements here press all three flexible ribbon cables 2, 3, 19at one site against one another. For this, a stripping of the insulationof the conductive tracks is performed, as needed, either only on the topside, on the bottom side, or on both sides at the head end of the middleflexible ribbon cable 19.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment of a clamp connector of theinvention, for which a shielding of the contact region between theflexible ribbon cables 2, 3 being connected is provided. For thispurpose, the spring elements 5 are constructed in the form of a baseplate 22, away from which the springs 5 extend, as in the embodimentexample according to FIG. 5. The base plate 22 is bent back at its frontand back ends toward the flexible ribbon cables 2, 3 ² in such a waythat the bent ends of the two shieldings on the two mating pieces 6 a, 6b lie opposite each other and clamp the respective flexible ribbon cablebetween them. The ends of the base plate 22 are guided through slots 23in the base piece 4. Preferably, the ends of the base plate 22 areconstructed as elastic spring arms 24. The terminal stops, provided hereas well, for the head ends of the flexible ribbon cables 2, 3 are formedon the base piece 4. The terminal stops 25 are located in front of thecross slots 23, through which the elastic spring arms 24 in the basepiece are passed. ²[Transltor's Note]The text repeats a sentencefragment, including the reference numbers 2, 3. This is presumably atypographical error.

FIG. 9 shows a shielding cage by itself and the clamp connector inprelocking position and in final locking position, which, apart from theshielding, do not differ essentially from the embodiment example shownin FIG. 5.

The above-described embodiment examples of the present invention serveonly for illustration of the invention defined in the claims and, inthis respect, are not to be understood as being limiting.

1. A clamp connector for at least two aligned flexible ribbon cables,comprising a base piece, a spring element for pressing together thesurfaces being contacted, and a mating piece, wherein the base piece andthe mating piece can be attached to each other in a prelocking positionand in a final locking position, characterized in that: the at least twoflexible ribbon cables, with their respective subregions stripped ofinsulation for contact, are pressed on each other; and the sides of thebase piece and of the mating piece facing the flexible ribbon cablesbeing connected have complementary depressions or projecting reliefs, bymeans of which the flexible ribbon cables are guided for formation of astrain relief, and wherein the spring element has a number of steelsprings, fixed in the base piece, corresponding to the number ofconductive tracks of the flexible ribbon cables.
 2. The clamp connectoraccording to claim 1, further characterized in that the steel springsare centrally fixed strips, the respective two ends of which arespirally wound inward.
 3. The clamp connector according to claim 2,further characterized in that the mating piece has a cross rib betweenthe support sites of the steel springs.
 4. The clamp connector accordingto claim 1, further characterized in that the base piece has a bottomplate and two side walls, on which catches are arranged for theprelocking position and the final locking position of the mating piece.5. The clamp connector according to claim 1, further characterized inthat the ribs formed on the base piece and on the mating piece runtransverse to the longitudinal direction of the flexible ribbon cablesand form terminal stops for the head ends of the flexible ribbon cablesbeing connected.
 6. The clamp connector according to claim 1, furthercharacterized in that the base piece has a recess, through which twobare flexible ribbon cables, which are arranged on the top side and thebottom side of the base piece, are pressed against each other byrespective spring elements, which are arranged on the mating pieceslocked at the top side and the bottom side of the base piece.
 7. Theclamp connector according to claim 6, further characterized in that thestrain relief is formed by lances engaging in slots provided in therespective flexible ribbon cables.
 8. The clamp connector according toclaim 6, further characterized in that the spring elements or a springelement are (is) constructed as contact springs with lateral protrusionas a ground tap and the flexible ribbon cable(s) is (are) stripped ofinsulation on both sides.
 9. The clamp connector according to claim 6,further characterized in that each of the two mating pieces has aterminal stop shoulder for the head end of the respective flexibleribbon cable.
 10. The clamp connector according to claim 6, furthercharacterized in that, for formation of a Y connector, two flexibleribbon cables are inserted on the two sides of the base piece with theirhead end in the same direction and the base piece has a slot, roughly atthe level of its meridian plane between its top side and its bottomside, for inserting a third flexible ribbon cable, the front region ofwhich is stripped of insulation on both sides and which crosses therecess in the base piece and is supported, at the opposite-lying edge ofthe recess, in a receiving groove, and the spring elements presstogether all three flexible ribbon cables in the region of the recess.11. The clamp connector according to claim 6, further characterized inthat the third flexible ribbon cable passes out of the base piece at theend thereof, which is placed opposite the end from which the first twoflexible ribbon cables project.
 12. The clamp connector according toclaim 6, further characterized in that the spring elements in eachmating piece each originate from a common base plate, which, togetherwith the base plate of the spring element arranged on the other matingpiece, forms a closed shielding around the contact site of the flexibleribbon cables.
 13. The clamp connector according to claim 12, furthercharacterized in that the base plates of the spring elements rest on theflexible ribbon cables with side walls that pass through cross slots inthe base piece and that are provided with elastic spring arms, the sidewalls of the two base plates being essentially aligned flush with eachother.
 14. The clamp connector according to claim 11, furthercharacterized in that terminal stops for the flexible ribbon cables arearranged on the base piece on both sides.
 15. A clamp connector forconnecting at least two flexible ribbon cables, comprising: a base; amating piece, wherein the base and the mating piece are movably attachedto each other between a fixed prelocking position and a fixed finallocking position; and at least one spring element connected to the base,wherein the at least one spring element is adapted to press conductivesurfaces of the ribbon cables together, wherein the at least one springelement has a number of steel springs corresponding to a number ofconductive tracks of the flexible ribbon cables.
 16. A clamp connectoras in claim 15 wherein sides of the base and sides of the mating piecefacing the flexible ribbon cables have complementary depressions andprojecting reliefs which are adapted to guide the flexible ribbon cablesand form at least one strain relief for the ribbon cables.
 17. A clampconnector for connecting at least two flexible ribbon cables,comprising: a base; a mating piece, wherein the base and the matingpiece are connected to each other between a fixed prelocking positionand a fixed final locking position; and at least one spring elementfixed to the base, wherein the at least one spring element is adapted topress surfaces of the ribbon cables together, and wherein the at leastone spring element has steel springs.
 18. A clamp connector as in claim17 wherein sides of the base and sides of the mating piece facing theflexible ribbon cables have complementary depressions and projectingreliefs which are adapted to guide the flexible ribbon cables and format least one strain relief for the ribbon cables.